Desktop photo always “stretched”

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I just got a new HP Pavilion DV-7 laptop. It has a wide (16:9) screen, and when I set the desktop photo, it always appears stretched, even if I try to set it to another mode. In fact, if I save the settings and go back to the selection, it has been changed back to “stretched”. Any ideas? I can always edit the photos, but shouldn’t have to.

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Since its a new computer, have you tried changing your screen resolution? Control Panel>Personalization>Display>Change Display Settings.

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Since its a new computer, have you tried changing your screen resolution? Control Panel>Personalization>Display>Change Display Settings.

Remember that LCD screens have a NATIVE RESOLUTION! It IS NOT advisible to muck with screen resolution! This can get your screen fouled up very quickly! There has got to be another way to tackle this problem! By the way, check to see the graphics driver is running at the NATIVE RESOLUTION of the monitor. A lot of problems are caused by incorrect resolution settings on an LCD screen. Format should be 16:9 and 1280 x 800 resolution. That is what my hp dv-4 1548nr notebook is set for and ALL pictures are displaying correctly. If you have a 17-inch monitor versus my 14.1-inch, the resolution setting may be different but recommended will still be listed. Set that resolution, everything should work correctly.

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Did you go to the CP, Appearance and Personalization, Personalization? At this point choose Desktop Background, then choose the picture position you want. This is the appropriate method to change background pictures. If this is what you did, and still have the problem, take the new PC where you bought it andd make them fix it.

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With a wideScreen resolution, you need wideScreen desktop photos. These are *now* fairly easy to come by. HTH

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…even if I try to set it to another mode. [snip]

By mode, do you mean one of the following?

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Paul,

> By mode, do you mean one of the following?

Yes, precisely. I got to that by right-clicking the desktop, just as I do in XP (the menu was different). I didn’t try the Control Panel, but will do that when I get home.

I have not changed the display resolution. I think it is set to 1600×900, which is the maximum available, and what I want it set to.

I don’t have to edit the picture on XP to get it to display correctly, though I may do that for selected photos.

Thanks in advance,

Allen

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I just got a new HP Pavilion DV-7 laptop. It has a wide (16:9) screen, and when I set the desktop photo, it always appears stretched, even if I try to set it to another mode. In fact, if I save the settings and go back to the selection, it has been changed back to “stretched”. Any ideas? I can always edit the photos, but shouldn’t have to.

Allen: The desktop image if shot with regular digital camera format or that of 35mm should not be stretched! I always use my own photos as desktop background on my Windows 7 laptop. I have a dv-41548nr hp notebook. Another suggestion is to crop the image the correct size and save as a second file, (to avoid changing the original image), and then using that as your desktop wallpaper. I have not had enough experience with Windows 7 to know if you can set that “trait” of stretching the image off yet. I’ll will let you know if I do.

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I disagree on resetting the screen resolution. I have three PC’s and none are set to the native resolution. I have them set to my personal preference, and everything, including wallpapers, appears as it should. Two of the PC’s have wide screen monitors, and one is 4:3. Besides, the resolution can always be changed back to the original format if the problem is not solved.

I do agree that if you have an onboard graphics control panel, the settings on that should be checked as well. Getting the proper display to suit your needs can be a little tedious at times.

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Windows has always allowed you to set resolution to a level that suits you. The resolution the photo is shot in also has little to do with the inability to change the way the picture appears when you attempt to fit a picture on you desktop. If the picture is smaller, and you set your desktop to fit or normal it will give you blank space around the picture. Allen’s problem is that the PC reverts back to stretched when he has chosen a different mode. This is a problem with the PC, not the chosen picture or resolution. I also have a 16×9 screen and I am able to change the picture mode when I want. I have an ATI radeon mobile graphics card. My wife has an onboard integrated graphics card on her PC (same brand as mine, slightly less power) and I can alter the mode displayed on her desktop as well, regardless of how the picture was shot. Since this is a new PC, there may very well be a problem with the PC and touching base with the reseller or manufacturer would be in order.

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